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However, he couldn't help notice how the golden halo of fabric outlined every curve against the darkened hallway.
He didn't realize he'd stood silent for some minutes until Charis said, a bit impatiently, "Don't you see, Adam? Helena and
I are complements!"
Pulling himself from his absorption with Miss Lambarth's figure, he noted the pearls and white ribbon twined in her dark hair, the clusters of ribbon-trimmed pearls adorning her otherwise plain gown.
"Innocence and... Eccentricity," Miss Lambarth said, her husky voice warm with humor. "I believe steel 204 THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
is the preferred metal for armor, but I shall make do with gold."
Did she fear her unconventional attire might incite Society's wrath? Adam wondered. ""Us your admirers who will need to armor themselves against your brilliance," he countered. "You ladies are magnificent— all of you."
"Lady Jersey herself predicted Helena would be a sensation!"
Charis said.
Helena grinned. "I believe she said I should cause a 'stir,'
which is not quite the same. But—" she gestured to her gown "—
at least Society shall see at a glance that I do not intend to launch myself into the Marriage Mart. If I achieve that, dressed as I please, without alienating Aunt Lillian's friends or Charis's suitors, I shall be content. If not—" she turned to address Lady Darnell"—I shall withdraw from Society before I cause you further damage."
"Nonsense," Lady Darnell replied. "You shall consider only how much you will enjoy the ball. Now let us be off!"
Watching the reflection of Miss Lambarth's gilded collar in the carriage lamp as the coach carried them to the ball, Adam found that, like Lady Jersey, he was curious to see the "stir" Miss Lambarth would provoke. If she did encounter the disapproval she seemed to expect, he would intervene. No less than Charis was she under his care.
Such a plucky lass, fighting for her charges one moment, facing down Society in her gold dress the next! A fierce protectiveness welled up in him. As much as 205
he could, he would try to insure her first ball was a success.
Though his nerves still danced at her nearness, the awareness had settled to a barely perceptible hum. Now that he'd moved beyond being blindsided by her allure, perhaps if he concentrated on extending to her the same support and protection he owed his sister, they might get on comfortably.
Despite her provocative choice of dress, he didn't think she'd need that protection tonight. She was wellborn, possessed of an unusual and arresting beauty— and reputedly very rich. Save for a few of the highest sticklers, he expected Society would warmly embrace her.
He'd rather not speculate on Priscilla's reaction.
The scrutiny began as soon as they entered the ballroom, conversation near them ceasing as they walked by, all eyes turning to inspect them as they passed.
And then the gentlemen began to approach. Adam barely had
time to claim his betrothed before a group formed about the ladies, all earnestly desiring introduc tions.
He'd about reached the limit of his patience in presenting the never-ending gaggle of admirers when his old friend Nathan Blanchard appeared. Using, Adam noted with a smile, his diplomat's skills, he threaded his way through the crowd and insinuated himself at the head of the line.
"Nathan, how good to see you again!"
206THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
"Wonderful to see you intact, as well, especially after the carnage of Waterloo," Blanchard replied.
"You'll remember my stepmother, Lady Darnell?"
"I had the pleasure of meeting her again a few days ago. How charming you look, ma'am. I'd been waiting for the crowd to dissipate—to no avail! Never before have I been so happy to exert the claim of prior friendship. Miss Darnell, Miss Lambarth, you are both ravishing. Although, Adam," Blanchard said, turning back to him, "your sister is far too beautiful to have so inelegant a brother. And much too poised to have just emerged from the schoolroom."
"Lord Blanchard, I see you have studied the art of diplomacy all too diligently," Chads replied, a blush tinting her cheeks as she curtseyed to his friend.
'"Tis nothing but the truth," Blanchard countered. "Miss Lambarth, I hope we shall have a chance to chat. I've heard so much about you."
"I hope you dismissed much of it," she replied. "Probably not one in three of Society's on-dits are true."
Blanchard laughed. "You're both of independent mind and perceptive. You will favor me with a dance later?"
Adam noted that Priscilla, standing at his side, was tapping her toe with impatience. Having been much courted for several years, she was not accustomed to being overlooked by a fine young gentleman. To Adam's relief, she brightened when Nathan, with a finesse that augured well for his career in the diplomatic corps, bowed over her hand, saying he'd saved the most 207
important lady for last, as she was the special girl who was to make his good friend the happiest man in England.
Next, Bennett Dixon appeared out of the crowd. After shouldering a string of disgruntled gentlemen out of the way, he joined their group, then volunteered to entertain the ladies while Adam and Blanchard procured refreshments.
"Sorry I wasn't able to catch you earlier," Nathan said as they walked off together. "I did want a word with you—-and I suppose this will be our best opportunity tonight. First, congratulations on securing the hand of Miss Standish! A lovely, accomplished girl who should make a fine mistress for your house. Tis also a match which should go a long way to curing your financial ills."
"You know of them, too?" Adam said with a sigh.
Blanchard shrugged. "It's my business to know what's going on, at home and abroad. But now that you're settled so brilliantly,
might you do as much for me?"
"You are looking to marry?" Adam asked, surprised.
"If one hopes to rise in the diplomatic corps, one must entertain, and to do so properly, one needs a hostess as poised as your Miss Standish—and a wife as rich." His gaze drifted back to the ladies they had just left. "Your sister would be a lovely ornament to an embassy party."
Adam understood fishing when he heard it. "She would ornament any gathering," he replied with a fond pride.
"Regretfully, though her character is deserving of the highest accolades, I doubt her dowry would be 208 THE UNTAMED HEIRESS
sufficient for your needs. My 'brilliant' match will allow me to rearrange estate funds to provide her a portion, but I couldn't describe it as more than 'modest.'"
"No rich relations to settle money on her?"
"Alas, no."
"You're quite sure?" When Adam nodded, Blanchard said,
"What a pity. She is the most entrancing girl I've met in years."
After another lingering glance in Charis's di rection, he heaved a sigh and shrugged. "No sense torturing oneself dreaming of the impossible, I suppose. Thank you for your honesty. Have you other suggestions?"
Though there was one quite obvious possibility, Adam found himself loathe to suggest it. But then, he thought, brightening,
Miss Lambarth hardly possessed the background and social experience essential for an ambassador's wife. "My stepmother's ward is reputed to have the wealth you seek, but though she displays a keen wit, I'm afraid her rather.. .odd upbringing would not make her the best choice for a diplomat's hostess."
Blanchard laughed. "That outrageous gold dress! Throwing it into the face of society's beldames, isn't she? She's strikingly attractive, and if intelligent, I expect could be taught the necessary social skills. Though Dix seemed ready to mill me down if I didn't cede my place beside her."
"I suspect he finds her novelty attractive. In any event, he's pledged to help me watch out for her so that her inexperience with Society customs doesn't lead some reprobate into trying to take advantage of her."
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Blanchard nodded. "A wise precaution. Given how alluring she is, someone less than a gentleman, or a gentleman too much in his cups to know better, might mistake her behavior as an encouragement to take liberties he'd dare not attempt with a more conventional girl"
"Indeed," Adam replied with a shudder, Blanchard's comment echoing his greatest fear as her defacto guardian.
"Perhaps I should get to know her better."
He felt a curious reluctance to encourage his friend, but that was silly. Miss Lambarth must marry someone, and were she to wed Blanchard, she would be well settled—and frequently abroad, out of temptation's reach. "Do that."
They had collected their cups and were walking back to rejoin the ladies when, from the entrance to the ballroom ahead of them, a girl in a golden dress dashed out. After a wild-eyed glance to either side, she turned and fled down the hallway away from them.
"What the deuce?" Blanchard exclaimed.
'"Tis Miss Lambarth!" Adam cried. Had some man pressed her too closely while he was chatting idly with Nathan? Had Dix?
Concern and fury erupted in his breast.
"Tell the ladies I shall return shortly. I must go after her."
Depositing his collection of cups onto a hall table, Adam sprinted off in pursuit.
